These are the 3 clear warnings signs of stroke all Canadians should know

If you or a loved one suffered a stroke, would you be able to recognize the three key signs to take quick action?

Your face may be drooping, you may not be able to move your arms and your speech could become slurred or jumbled. While there are other symptoms of a stroke, health officials say these are the major red flags to pay attention to.

June is Stroke Awareness Month and a good time to remind Canadians of the major symptoms – when it comes to stroke, the faster you get to medical help, the better the odds of recovery.

“I don’t think people recognize the signs of stroke enough to know. This is a reminder that as soon as you see these symptoms you have no time to waste, you need to call 911 immediately. We now have a lot of newer therapies that work on patients with stroke but they’re time sensitive,” according to Dr. Patrice Lindsay, director of stroke at Heart & Stroke.

Lindsay told Global News that in the organization’s latest polling, over 40 per cent of Canadians said they knew someone who had a stroke.

But when they were asked about stroke signs, 40 per cent of Canadians admitted they didn’t know any of the symptoms of stroke. Only 24 per cent knew at least two signs and only six per cent knew three signs.

Health officials rely on the FAST mnemonic – the easiest way to recognize signs of stroke. It’s translated into several other languages and used globally.

Other symptoms that aren’t included range from vision issues, such as blurry eyesight, to the sudden onset of a crippling, painful headache. They’re typically paired with the FAST symptoms, too.

Lindsay has invaluable insight into the plight of stroke survivors. She was 38 when she suffered a stroke while reading a bedtime story to her kids, 2 and 5.

“I was feeling unwell and within a couple of minutes, I lost feeling of my entire left side of my body. I couldn’t move my arm or leg. Luckily my husband heard me bang my other leg on the floor and called 911,” she recounted.

The ambulance arrived within minutes and she was rushed to a hospital that treats stroke emergencies.

The biggest risk factor is high blood pressure – 60 per cent of stroke survivors live with this chronic condition.

Diabetes is another risk factor. Atrial fibrillation, or an irregular heartbeat, is another medical condition that puts you at a greater risk of stroke, followed by lifestyle, such as a poor diet, lack of exercise, being overweight or obese and smoking.